Did you check out our article about a Bachelor of Computer Science at the UQ and liked what you saw? Are you now keen to know even more about the degree?
We’ve asked third-year student, Thomas Trebilcock, to give us the rundown of all the pros and cons of studying Computer Science at UQ.
Let’s dive right in!
Why should you study a Computer Science degree at UQ?
Top 3 Pros of a Computer Science Degree
Top 3 Cons of a Computer Science Degree
Mistakes You Shouldn’t Make
Things to Know Before Starting UQ Computer Science
What Makes this Degree Different
Motivations for Studying UQ Computer Science
Potential Career Paths
Why should you study a Computer Science degree at UQ?
A Bachelor of Computer Science at UQ is ideal for anyone who has a passion for all things tech. If you know you like working with computers, solving coding problems, developing software and analysing data, then this degree is for you!
This course isn’t easy, but it teaches students all the knowledge needed and the skills required to be highly informed and competitive graduates.
Top 3 Pros of a Computer Science degree
#1: Learn to solve complex problems
In this degree, students develop their problem solving skills, learning how to solve complex problems in the computer science realm with ease.
This is one of Thomas’ favourite things about the course — “being able to solve problems that were really challenging, surprising myself and breaking through that barrier”.
This level of critical thinking is highly attractive to employers, making this particular feature of the degree one of its main pros.
#2: Good campus culture
The culture at UQ is a really strong one. Everyone is super friendly and there are lots of social events and clubs to get involved with.
“You make a lot of great mates along the way,” says Thomas.
For Computer Science students, you’ll find the best society to join is the UQ Computing Society. They hold events like networking functions and tutoring sessions so that you can increase your knowledge and career development.
#3: Career opportunities
The career opportunities for graduates of UQ’s Bachelor of Computer Science are endless. It is a very relevant degree that prepares its students for a career in various industries.
Thomas considers this to be one of the main advantages of the degree. He says, “It is a great way to prepare for your career — a great stepping stone.”
Top 3 Cons of a Computer Science degree
#1: Pretty challenging
This degree can get pretty challenging. The content consists of complex theories and problem solving methods that students must master in order to complete assignments and exams.
The work can be full on, which is why it is important to reach out for help when you feel like you’re struggling.
#2: Grappling with doubt
Thomas says his least favourite part of this degree is the feeling of doubt you get when faced with a really difficult problem that you’re struggling to solve.
He shares, “The feeling of doubt — when you get so close to the answer and you’re almost there, but you just can’t get it right.”
#3: Intense workload
The workload for this degree is fairly intense, with the average week consisting of about 30-40 hours of study. While this is inclusive of lectures, tutorials, labs, assessments and self-directed study, it is still a fair amount of time to be dedicating to uni work — especially for a degree where you’re looking at a computer screen for most of it.
Here’s an expert tip for you: invest in some blue-light glasses and remember to take regular breaks!
Any regrets?
Thomas says he doesn’t have any regrets about choosing this degree. However, he does wish that he had been more proactive in his first year — reaching out to older students and getting a better understanding of what would be expected of him as the course progresses.
He explains, “Maybe one of my biggest regrets is that I wish I had known to find someone who is in my position now, to find someone well into their Computer Science degree and just have a chat with them about it all. I wish in my first year I went and spoke to a third year student to get a better idea of what to expect.”
What do you wish you had known before starting Computer Science at UQ?
“It is a lot harder than I expected,” says Thomas, speaking of the difficulty of this degree — a difficulty he did not expect as a first year student.
Thomas explains, “It does require you to put in a lot of hard work — you need grit to do this degree. It’s not easy.”
This unexpected level of difficulty and the amount of work needed to do well in this course is something Thomas wishes he had known more about.
“Then I would have been a lot more mentally prepared for what was to come,” he adds.
What makes this degree different from the ones offered at other universities?
While other universities offer Computer Science as a major, the University of Queensland dedicates a whole degree to it. This is one of the main points of difference.
Completing a Bachelor of Computer Science, rather than just majoring in it, means that the course’s learning is more targeted. It also gives you the opportunity to major in a specialisation of your choosing. This means that you can design the degree to suit you and your interests.
What inspired you to choose Computer Science at UQ?
“I’ve always loved technology and I’ve always been good at it, so I was pretty set on computer science early on,” says Thomas.
In regards to why he decided to pursue this at the University of Queensland, Thomas explains that it was mainly because of the university’s good reputation.
He shares, “I just kind of went with my gut. I had a lot of people telling me it was a good place to study and so I listened and that decision paid off.”
What are the possible career paths?
Graduates of a Bachelor of Computer Science at UQ have a whole range of really interesting career paths available to them. The list is filled with some really exciting career prospects, however it should be noted that a graduate’s options vary depending on what specialisation they chose to pursue throughout their degree.
Some of the career options include:
- Cyber security analyst
- IT project manager
- Data scientist
- Machine learning engineer
- Software engineer
- Statistical analyst
- Security architect
Discover other roles you might want to consider in the IT industry here!
Jessica Arentz is a Content Writer at Art of Smart and an undergraduate student at the University of Sydney where she studies a Bachelor of Arts/Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) (Marketing). She currently volunteers at 2SER community radio station as a producer and newsroom reader. When not writing, you can find Jess searching the web for cheap flights or spending her days with her head buried deep in a book.
